One Fan-Favorite Baldur’s Gate Character Is Officially In D&D’s 2024 Dungeon Master’s Guide

The Baldur's Gate games feature plenty of familiar people and places from Dungeons & Dragons, but the reverse isn't quite as true. While characters from Baldur's Gate 3 like Astarion and Karlach have been popping up in promotional DnD material recently, video game characters don't often make appearances in DnD source books or campaigns. There's always room for exceptions, however, and the 2024 Dungeon Master's Guide that's set for a wide release on November 12 contains a big one.

Minsc, a Ranger who's been included in every Baldur's Gate game to date, appears in both artwork and the Lore Glossary found in DnD's 2024 Dungeon Master's Guide. The artwork, created by Katerina Ladon, depicts Minsc, his hamster Boo, and the Wild Mage Delina dancing at the Boreal Ball, the setting of a sample Level 7 adventure found in the book.

The Lore Glossary, meanwhile, describes Minsc's "good cheer" and "hearty optimism." A separate entry for Boo describes him as a "miniature giant space hamster," a claim that Minsc has long asserted to be true.

Minsc Is A Baldur's Gate Icon With D&D History

This Isn't His First Rodeo

Although Minsc often plays the role of comic relief in the Baldur's Gate games, his good-hearted loyalty and bravery have done a lot to endear him to fans over the years. Minsc's role in Baldur's Gate 3 is less central than in the previous games, but uncovering his storyline in Act 3 can be engaging, even for those who didn't make his acquaintance previously.

Related One Baldur's Gate 3 Plot Hole Prevents Minsc And Jaheira From Being Gods Minsc and Jaheira aren’t as powerful as they should be in Baldur’s Gate 3. Here’s why, and what it would look like if the game took a different route.

This isn't the first time that Minsc and Boo have shown up in modern DnD books, as the duo previously appeared in the set of Spelljammer books for 5e. The creature book included in the set, Boo's Astral Menagerie, even took its name from Minsc's companion and showcased them both on the cover. Spelljammer is a niche product compared to the core rulebooks, however, so even a minor appearance in the Dungeon Master's Guide might be bigger for Minsc's career.

Our Take: Minsc Deserves His Spot In The 2024 Dungeon Master's Guide

An Appropriate Addition To The Lore Glossary

It's nice to see Minsc solidify his position in tabletop DnD material, and he'd certainly appreciate the official statement that Boo is, in fact, the miniature giant space hamster that he claims. Fans of Baldur's Gate 3 in particular might be champing at the bit to see some of the Origin characters make similar appearances, but it's probably better not to rush things on that front. At any rate, Astarion and Karlach will both be available in the virtual tabletop Project Sigil to enjoy in the near future.

Related D&D's 2024 Player's Handbook Has A Baldur's Gate 3 Easter Egg That's Easy To Miss The 2024 Dungeons & Dragons Player's Handbook seems to include a Baldur's Gate 3 character in a place where most readers might not look for it.

I'm a big fan of the Lore Glossary in general, which could help introduce fans to iconic parts of DnD lore that have fallen by the wayside over the years. The 2024 Player's Handbook nicely revamps the learning process, but I wish it had retained a bit more flavor text, and elements like the Lore Glossary go a long way in making The Dungeon Master's Guide more satisfying in that regard. Minsc is an icon for a reason, and his appearance in the 2024 Dungeon Master's Guide is a nice Dungeons & Dragons nod to the Baldur's Gate legacy.